January, Don't Let the Door Hit Ya
Hi Friends,
At long last our national nightmare of JANUARY is coming to a close. I don’t know about you, but nearly everyone in my life (including me) has had some form of weeks-long illness since Christmas and it’s been miserable.
Tomorrow we step into a new month, full of things that have never been. Even though the Atlantic will judge me, I’m walking into February with a daily handful of gummy vitamins. I hope you’re staying healthy too, via gummy means or otherwise.
Art Seeking More in 2024
This week I’ve been thinking about art work and what my signature piece for 2024 should be. Last year I embraced The Great Wave by Fugaku Sanjurokkei.
It was fun to have such a well-known piece as a touchstone for the year. In addition to an exhibit at the MFA, I was always spotting it in unexpected places – a sticker on a student’s laptop, on a t-shirt at the mall, or reinterpreted as a meme on social media. Whenever I saw it, I reminded myself to appreciate the waves of responsibility and opportunity in my life and to ride the wave.
For this year, a few different pieces have been drawing my attention:
The patterns of William Morris, especially Strawberry Thief.
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend, who have a Target collaboration in February for Black History Month.
Or event this relaxing image that’s been following me around social media: https://www.pstrstudio.com/products/sissan-relax-ignore
What I’ve tentatively decided on is not a specific piece, but the theme of “bouquets” as they appear in different art works. I think It’ll be an interesting trope to seek out at any museums I venture into. And, it’ll give me an excuse to purchase a few more blooms in real life, too. Like these, on my table today:
Do you have a signature work of art or artist for 2024?
This Week I’m:
Reading: Reign by Katherine McGee. I just discovered that my favorite YA series, American Royals, has a new entry, and it was available as an ebook from my library. I can’t wait to dig in.
Watching: Annika, a PBS Masterpiece series about a self deprecating, philosophical detective.
Take a Class with Me:
Are you based on the west coast, or just prefer late night classes? Want to get some new short fiction started? In 6 Weeks, 6 Stories we’ll meet online each week to discuss a new prompt to for a short story. Submit your new story for feedback from classmates the following week, and you’ll be well on your way to 6 new finished pieces.
6 Weeks, 6 Stories meets on zoom 6 Tuesdays from 6-9pm PST beginning February 27. Sign up at: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/6-weeks-6-stories-pst/
Thanks for reading!
Kayleigh